I’m grinning through my tears, squeezing Andrea’s hand so tight.
“Can you wait?” I ask thickly, struggling to find words that aren’t sobs. “Before you take her to the hospital. I just…I need to find her dad. Her dad needs to be with her.”
The EMT nods. “I’ll be here getting her settled and checking her vitals, but move it.”
With a grateful sound, I go tumbling out of the back of the ambulance.
The entire field looks like a refugee camp at this point, people getting medical treatment, hot liquids poured into them, salves for burns, bandages. People give witness statements to the cops, firefighters checking over the smoldering ruins.
I find Blake talking to a group of firefighters, standing in the way that says he’s trying to be stubborn, be strong, but he’s carefully keeping his weight off that leg. The last glow of dying fires glints off his hair, turning it to bearish rusty brown and ash.
I can’t even describe the feeling that bursts through me when I see him like this.
Standing so firm, even dirty and burned and covered in soot and sweat.
That stubborn pride’s everything I love about him.
It’s like I’m on fire now.
And I know this is one flame that’ll never go out.
I start forward hesitantly, then stop.
“Blake,” I call softly, my voice small.
He stills like I just shouted his name from the rooftops.
Slowly, he turns, this warmth, this light, breaking over his face—before he’s loping toward me, his bad leg dragging, but he doesn’t let it stop him as he catches me, lifting me off my feet, letting out a ragged sound as he buries his face in my hair.
“Peace,” he gasps. “Thank God, Broccoli.”
I never thought I’d be so happy to near that stupid name.
“Blake,” I manage raggedly, burying my face in his shoulder, clutching on for dear life. “I was so scared for you, when Justin…”
“Shhh. Quiet,” he soothes, his hands strong and firm and warm against my back. “It’s all right now. He can’t hurt nobody anymore.” Then he pulls back, looking down at me, those intense blue eyes flickering with trepidation. “Andrea?”
“She’ll be just fine,” I promise, unable to help grinning even though I’m crying so bad I’m practically melting, but I’ve never been this happy, this relieved before. “Justin had her against the ice for a while. She’s got frostbite, but no permanent damage. The EMTs got her, and she’s gonna be fine.”
His eyes light up before softening as he leans into me hard, curling his hand against the back of my neck, pressing his brow to mine. “Fuck, Peace, you saved my baby girl.”
“How could I not?” I whisper. “Don’t you know how much she means to me? How much you both do?”
He stares at me intently, so much raw, rough emotion burning in his eyes.
“Tell me,” he growls, his clutch on me turning hard, possessive. “Tell me what we mean.”
“I love you!” It falls out without hesitation, without even the slightest hint of fear, because I need to be honest about this bright flame inside me. I need him to know when we all came so close to losing each other. “I love you like everything I’ve ever needed, and I love her because she’s everything sweet and bright and free. I love you, Blake, even if you don’t love me.”
That’s the fear of it, right there.
That even after everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve been to each other…
What if he just doesn’t feel this so deeply, so hotly, so truly?
My heart twists with apprehension, like even my pulse is holding its breath.
Then Blake smiles his lopsided grin, the most heartbreakingly handsome smile ever.
“How the hell could I not love you, darlin’?” he rumbles, and all the love in the world makes that sinful voice of his musical. “You’re the peace I’ve always wanted.”
I choke out a laugh.
Ohhh, that pun, it’s terrible and wonderful all at once, but I barely get a chance to part my lips before he’s just there.
Kissing me, dragging me against him.
Stealing my mouth, taking my soul, tearing me up inside with how amazing it feels to be with this man.
To finally—finally!—be his.
And to give myself over to him in wholehearted surrender.
I part my lips and let him take my mouth in delicious, languid strokes and twining thrusts of tongue for all the world, the sky, and the townspeople scattered around us to see.
I don’t care who knows.
I flipping love Blake Silverton.
He’s my desperado.
My gunslinger with a heart of gold.
And no matter what soft and melancholy songs I sing for him, it’s a done deal.
I’ll never let him be lonely again.
* * *
Months Later
Spring in Heart’s Edge.
When I first came rolling into town in January, I never thought I’d stay long enough to see spring fully erase the snow and leave flowers. They’re coming up in pink and blue fields, clouds of vibrant color bursting across the hills.